Huffman offers amendment to boost special education funding

April 08, 2014

During recent budget committee markup, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) offered an amendment to boost funding for special education by $102 billion over 10 years. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), more than 6.5 million children are eligible for special education services, guaranteeing that each child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. When IDEA was passed in 1975, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. However, that pledge has never been met, and current funding is at just 16 percent. Huffman’s amendment would put the federal government on a path to meet that commitment. The amendment failed 13-22.

“Congress has failed to meet its commitment to fully support special education, and it’s time the federal government lived up to the promise it made to students, parents, and teachers,” Congressman Huffman said. “This funding would reduce strain on local resources as school districts work to meet the needs of special education, and guarantee a quality education for every child.”

Huffman’s amendment is offset by revenue from reducing or eliminating tax breaks for big oil corporations or selected business tax reform proposals from the Republican Tax Reform Act of 2014. Huffman previously introduced a bipartisan bill to fully fund special education under IDEA as well as called on president Obama to include full funding in his annual budget.

Huffman’s amendment was supported by the National Education Association and the American Association of School Administrators, among others.

Huffman opposed the Ryan budget, which guts investments in economic growth, education, transportation, and other national priorities, all while rigging the system in favor of the wealthiest of Americans. The Republican budget proposal would raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of at least $2,000 in order to cut tax rates for households with incomes over $1 million.